Bridger – Teton Avalanche Center

Old Bill’s Fun Run for Charities is happening on September, 7th. Over the past sixteen years, the event has helped local charities raise nearly $91 million and has touched the lives of thousands. Over the years, those dollars have helped house homeless pets, feed the hungry, teach our children and protect Jackson’s natural beauty.

Before Old Bill’s Fun Run we wanted to highlight a few of the non-profits that make a huge impact in our community with some questions and answers.

The Friends of the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center is a 503(c)(3) non-profit organization whose misson is to provide community funding for Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center (BTAC) The center issues daily backcountry avalanche forecast that are posted on thier website at jhavalanche.org and via a telephone hotline at 733-2664. This will be the 38th season of operations for the center. Last season an estimated 1.5 million contacts were made to the avalanche center’s avalanche hazard resources.

Photo from Doug Workman.

How is your organization involved with JHMR?

JHMR has been a partner with the BTAC since it started in December 1976. The BTAC operates out of the JHMR Operations Building in Teton Village. The center and the resort share resources including a network of automated remote weather stations, avalanche laboratory space, observations and expertise. The resort has clearly been the most significant supporter of the avalanche center since its inception.

FYI resort season pass purchasers have an option to donate $5 to the avalanche center when they purchase their passes online or at the ticket office. Last year’s donations exceeded $6,000 from season pass buyers.

Goals for this year?

Over 60% of the annual operating costs of the BTAC are derived from donations. Most of that amount is raised via Old Bills Fun Run. Our goals are to exceed the amount we raised during last year’s Old Billls Fun Run and to exceed the total amount of donations we received last year.

In addition to funding basic operations these funds are essential for extending the length of season that the center operates (October to May) and making improvements to the products offered by the center. One of our major goals for this upcoming season is increase the number of daily field observations submitted by backcountry skiers and riders that are posted on the centers website.